Hat Adjustment Device and Method

ABSTRACT

A hat adjustment device is provided to affect the inside space of a hat. The device may include a pad and a strap. The pad may be locatable adjacent to an inner surface of a hat, the pad being removably attachable to the inner surface via the strap. The pad may include a filling to affect an inside space of the hat. The filling of the pad may vary in thickness, being thicker approximately at a bottom edge and thinner approximately at a side edge. The strap may be insertable behind an extension of the hat. A method is provided for adjusting the inside space of a hat using the device.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a hat adjustment device. More particularly, the invention relates to a device to affect the fit of a hat.

BACKGROUND

Hats and other headwear are common accessories used to protect and decorate the head of its wearer. Hats can be provided in many different configurations, including adjustable, customizable, and fitted configurations. Often, fitted configurations are preferred over other hat sizing variants due to a clean appearance and solid construction. However, fitted hats, as they presently exist in the art, fail to accommodate changes to the head of a user.

Due to various factors, the size and shape of a head may change over time. Change in head size may be due to a number of causes, which may include growing, haircut, change of hairstyle, additional material and/or headgear worn by a user, and other scenarios. When the effective size of the head of a user changes, a hat worn by the user may require adjustment or even replacement.

In the past, failed solutions practiced by some hat-wearing users included attempts to stretch or shrink a hat to accommodate for change in head size. For example, a user may attempt to stretch a hat by force or shrink a hat using hot water. However, these failed solutions are undesirable because they leave the hat incapable of returning to its original size. Additionally, stretching and shrinking may cause permanent damage to the hat.

What is needed is a device that can be used with a hat to adjust its fit. What is needed is a device that can be discretely located adjacent to a portion of the hat to modify its fit. What is needed is a device to temporarily alter the fit of the hat, allowing the hat to return to its original fit after the alteration. What is needed is a method to alter the fit of a hat using the hat adjustment device of the present invention.

SUMMARY

The present invention advantageously provides a device that can be used with a hat to adjust its fit. The present invention may advantageously be located discretely adjacent to a portion of the hat, allowing the fit of the hat to be modified without changing the appearance of the hat. The present invention advantageously provides a device for a user to temporarily alter the fit of the hat, allowing the hat to be returned to its original fit after the alteration. Additionally, the present invention advantageously provides a method to alter the fit of the hat using the hat adjustment device of the present invention.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, a hat adjustment device is provided including a pad and a strap attached to the pad. The pad may be locatable adjacent to an inner surface of a hat. The pad may be removably attachable to the inner surface via the strap. The pad may include a filling to affect an inside space of the hat.

In another aspect, the pad may include a single piece of material including a first end and a second end. The single piece of material may be folded to locate the first end approximately adjacent to the second end, the first end being fixed to the second end to create a side edge and the filling being enclosed therein. A bottom edge may be formed approximately about a line at which the single piece of material is folded.

In another aspect, the pad may include a first pad side, a second pad side, and the filling. The filling may be located between the first pad side and second pad side.

In another aspect, the pad may effectively reduce a circumferential measurement about a base of the hat.

In another aspect, a thickness of the filling may reduce the inside space of the hat.

In another aspect, the thickness of the filling may vary. The thickness may be greater approximately at a bottom edge and thinner approximately at a side edge.

In another aspect, the thickness of the filling may taper approximately from the bottom edge to approximately the side edge.

In another aspect, the strap may be insertable behind an extension of the hat.

In another aspect, the extension may be a tag sewn to at least part of the inner surface of the hat.

In another aspect, the strap may include a first strap piece and a second strap piece. The first strap piece may be insertable behind the extension. The second strap piece may be removably connectible to the first strap piece to removably attach the pad to the hat.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, a hat adjustment device is provided including a pad and a strap. The pad may include a first pad side, a second pad side, and a filling located between the first pad side and the second pad side. The strap may be attached to the pad. The filling may create a thickness to reduce an inside space of a hat. The pad may be removably locatable adjacent to an inner surface of the hat by performing the steps of (a) locating the pad adjacent to the inner surface of the hat, (b) passing at least part of the strap through an extension of the hat, and (c) securing the strap to removably attach the pad to the hat.

In another aspect, the pad may include a piece of material including a first end and a second end. The pad may be created by performing the steps of (d) folding the piece of material to locate the first end approximately adjacent to the second end to form the first pad side and the second pad side, (e) locating the filling between the first pad side and the second pad side, (f) fixing the first end to the second end to create a side edge and enclose the filling; and, (g) forming a bottom edge approximately about a line at which the piece of material is folded.

In another aspect, the pad may effectively reduce a circumferential measurement about a base of the hat. The thickness of the pad may be variable to be greater approximately at the bottom edge and thinner approximately at the side edge.

In another aspect, the thickness of the filling may taper approximately from the bottom edge to approximately the side edge.

In another aspect, the strap may include a first strap piece and a second strap piece. The operation of securing the strap to removably attach the pad to the hat, as described in step (c) above, may further include (i) inserting the first strap piece behind the extension, and (ii) connecting the second strap piece to the first strap piece to removably fix the pad to the hat.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, a method is provided for adjusting a hat using a hat adjustment device that includes a pad and a strap attached to the pad. The method includes (a) locating the pad adjacent to an inner surface of the hat, (b) passing at least part of the strap through an extension of the hat, and (c) securing the strap to removably attach the pad to the hat. The pad may include a first pad side, a second pad side, and a filling located between the first pad side and the second pad side. The filling may create a thickness to reduce an inside space of the hat.

In another aspect, the pad may include a piece of material including a first end and a second end. The pad may be created by performing the steps of: (d) folding the piece of material to locate the first end approximately adjacent to the second end to form the first pad side and the second pad side, (e) locating the filling between the first pad side and the second pad side, (f) fixing the first end to the second end to create a side edge and enclose the filling, and (g) forming a bottom edge approximately about a line at which the piece of material is folded.

In another aspect, the thickness may be variable to be greater approximately at the bottom edge and thinner approximately at the side edge.

In another aspect, the thickness of the filling may taper approximately from the bottom edge to approximately the side edge.

In another aspect, the strap may include a first strap piece and a second strap piece. The operation of securing the strap to removably attach the pad to the hat, as described in step (c) above, may further include (i) inserting the first strap piece behind the extension, and (ii) connecting the second strap piece to the first strap piece to removably fix the pad to the hat.

Unless otherwise defined, all technical terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. Although methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of the present invention, suitable methods and materials are described below. All publications, patent applications, patents and other references mentioned herein are incorporated by reference in their entirety. In the case of conflict, the present specification, including definitions will control.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front elevation view of the adjustment device, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a rear elevation view of the adjustment device, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a bottom plan view of the adjustment device, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the adjustment device, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a front elevation view of the adjustment device, according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the adjustment device being installed in a hat, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention is best understood by reference to the detailed drawings and description set forth herein. Embodiments of the invention are discussed below with reference to the drawings; however, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the detailed description given herein with respect to these figures is for explanatory purposes as the invention extends beyond these limited embodiments. For example, in light of the teachings of the present invention, those skilled in the art will recognize a multiplicity of alternate and suitable approaches, depending upon the needs of the particular application, to implement the functionality of any given detail described herein beyond the particular implementation choices in the following embodiments described and shown. That is, numerous modifications and variations of the invention may exist that are too numerous to be listed but that all fit within the scope of the invention. Also, singular words should be read as plural and vice versa and masculine as feminine and vice versa, where appropriate, and alternative embodiments do not necessarily imply that the two are mutually exclusive.

The present invention should not be limited to the particular methodology, compounds, materials, manufacturing techniques, uses, and applications, described herein, as these may vary. The terminology used herein is used for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only, and is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. As used herein and in the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include the plural reference unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, a reference to “an element” is a reference to one or more elements and includes equivalents thereof known to those skilled in the art. Similarly, for another example, a reference to “a step” or “a means” may be a reference to one or more steps or means and may include sub-steps and subservient means.

All conjunctions used herein are to be understood in the most inclusive sense possible. Thus, a group of items linked with the conjunction “and” should not be read as requiring that each and every one of those items be present in the grouping, but rather should be read as “and/or” unless expressly stated otherwise. Similarly, a group of items linked with the conjunction “or” should not be read as requiring mutual exclusivity among that group, but rather should be read as “and/or” unless expressly stated otherwise. Structures described herein are to be understood also to refer to functional equivalents of such structures. Language that may be construed to express approximation should be so understood unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) are to be given their ordinary and customary meaning to a person of ordinary skill in the art, and are not to be limited to a special or customized meaning unless expressly so defined herein.

Terms and phrases used in this application, and variations thereof, especially in the appended claims, unless otherwise expressly stated, should be construed as open ended as opposed to limiting. As examples of the foregoing, the term “including” should be read to mean “including, without limitation,” “including but not limited to,” or the like; the term “having” should be interpreted as “having at least”; the term “includes” should be interpreted as “includes but is not limited to”; the term “example” is used to provide exemplary instances of the item in discussion, not an exhaustive or limiting list thereof; and use of terms like “preferably,” “preferred,” “desired,” “desirable,” or “exemplary” and words of similar meaning should not be understood as implying that certain features are critical, essential, or even important to the structure or function of the invention, but instead as merely intended to highlight alternative or additional features that may or may not be utilized in a particular embodiment of the invention.

Those skilled in the art will also understand that if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is intended, such an intent will be explicitly recited in the claim, and in the absence of such recitation no such intent is present. For example, as an aid to understanding, the appended claims may contain usage of the introductory phrases “at least one” and “one or more” to introduce claim recitations; however, the use of such phrases should not be construed to imply that the introduction of a claim recitation by the indefinite articles “a” or “an” limits any particular claim containing such introduced claim recitation to embodiments containing only one such recitation, even when the same claim includes the introductory phrases “one or more” or “at least one” and indefinite articles such as “a” or “an” (e.g., “a” and “an” should typically be interpreted to mean “at least one” or “one or more”); the same holds true for the use of definite articles used to introduce claim recitations. In addition, even if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is explicitly recited, those skilled in the art will recognize that such recitation should typically be interpreted to mean at least the recited number (e.g., the bare recitation of “two recitations,” without other modifiers, typically means at least two recitations, or two or more recitations). Furthermore, in those instances where a convention analogous to “at least one of A, B, and C” is used, in general, such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., “a system having at least one of A, B, and C” would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.).

All numbers expressing dimensions, quantities of ingredients, reaction conditions, and so forth used in the specification are to be understood as being modified in all instances by the term “about” unless expressly stated otherwise. Accordingly, unless indicated to the contrary, the numerical parameters set forth herein are approximations that may vary depending upon the desired properties sought to be obtained.

Referring now to FIGS. 1-6, the hat adjustment device 10 will now be described in accordance with the various embodiments of the present invention. The hat adjustment device 10 may include a pad 20 and a strap 40. The hat adjustment device 10 may be located within the inside space 94 of a hat 90. The device 10 may be temporarily and removably attached to an inner surface 92 of the hat 90, which may affect the inside space 94 within the hat 90. The hat adjustment device 10 of the present invention may advantageously allow the fit of a hat to be adjusted such that the hat may accommodate various users or users having an effective head size that has changed.

The pad 20 will now be discussed in greater detail. The pad 20 may be a component of the device 10 having a thickness that affects the inside space 92 of a hat 90. The pad 20 may be positioned within the inside of the hat 90 to occupy a portion of that space 94. The pad 20 may effectively reduce the space 94 included by the inside of the hat, allowing the hat to be worn by a user with a desired fit, for example, with an effective head size that is smaller than the natural size of the hat.

The pad 20 may be constructed using one or more pieces of material that are connected to form a sealable pocket. The material may be virtually any natural and/or synthetic fabric, as will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art. The material may be sweat resistant, water resistant, woven, breathable, and/or may include other properties that would be apparent after having the benefit of this disclosure.

As discussed above, the pad 20 may alter the effective size of the hat 90. For example, the pad 20 may reduce the effective circumferential measurement about the base 80 of the hat 90. The pad 20 may be configured with the thickness to reduce the circumferential measurement by approximately one hat size, which may correspond with an approximate reduction of 1 cm to the circumference of the base 80 of the hat 90. Skilled artisans will appreciate additional thicknesses of the pad 20, which may correspond with respective alterations to the circumferential measurement, including measurements in centimeters of 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, 0.5, 0.6, 0.7, 0.8, 0.9, 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5, 1.6, 1.7, 1.8, 2, 2.25, 2.5, 2.75, 3, 3.25, 3.5, 3.75, 4, 4.5, 5, 5.5, and additional measurements of thickness in centimeters, without limitation.

The pad 20 may include a first pad side 26 and second pad side 28, which may be connected at a side edge 24 and the bottom edge 22. In one illustrative embodiment, the first pad side 26 and second pad side 28 of the pad 20 may be formed using a single piece of material. The piece of material may have a first end 36 and second end 38. The piece of material may be folded such that the first end 36 approximately meets the second end 38, forming a first pad side 26 and second pad side 28. A filling 30 may be located between the first and second pad side 26, 28.

As an example, the filling 30 may be located adjacent to the second end 38 of the piece of material. The piece of material may then be folded over the filling 30, locating the first end 36 of the piece of material approximately adjacent to the second end 38 of the piece of material with the filling 30 located between the sections of the material corresponding with the first and second ends 36, 38. The second end 38 of the piece of material, now located below the filling 30, may become the second pad side 28. The first end 36 of the piece of material, now located above the filling 30, may become the first pad side 26.

The first pad side 26 and the second pad side 28 may be attached to form a side edge 24. An example of the side edge 24 is provided by FIGS. 1-4. The first pad side 26 and the second pad side 28 may be attached using, for example, stitching 32, adhesive, welding, zipper, snaps, and other attachment techniques known within the art. A bottom edge 22 of the pad may be formed about a line where the piece of material was folded. An example of the bottom edge 22 is provided by FIGS. 1-3. In one example, as illustrated in FIGS. 1-2, the pad 20 may be constructed having a semicircular shape. However, skilled artisans will appreciate additional shapes for the pad 20, after having the benefit of this disclosure.

The filling 30 will now be discussed in greater detail. The filling 30 may be provided by a substance to fill the interior of the pad 20 and create a desired thickness. The filling 30 may be virtually any material includable within the pad 20, for example, foam, cotton, natural fibers, synthetic fibers, rubber, plastic, woven fabrics, air, liquid, gel, or other materials that may occupy a volume within the pad. In one embodiment, the filling 30 may be constructed having a uniform thickness. In another embodiment, the filling 30 may be constructed having a varied thickness. For example, the filling 30 may have a greater thickness at a portion located approximately near the bottom edge 22 of the pad 20. Additionally, the filling 30 may have a thinner thickness located approximately near the side edge 24 of the pad 20. The thickness may vary approximately continuously, such as tapering from the bottom edge 22 to the side edge 24. Alternatively, the thickness may vary in discrete steps Skilled artisans will appreciate additional ways in which the thickness of the filling 30 may vary within the pad 20.

The strap 40 will now be discussed in greater detail. The strap 40 may be used to removably attach the pad 20 to the hat 90. Additionally, the strap 40 may be attached to the pad 20. For example, the strap 40 may be attached to the pad 20 using stitching, adhesive, welding, and other attachment techniques that would be apparent to a skilled artisan. In one embodiment, the strap 40 may be attached to the front side 26 of the pad 20. However, the strap 40 may also be attached to the rear side 28 and/or other portions of the pad 20, without limitation.

In one embodiment, as perhaps best illustrated in FIGS. 3-4, the strap 40 may include a first strap piece 42 in a second strap piece 44. The first strap piece 42 may be removably connectable to the second strap piece 44 using fasteners. Examples of fasteners may include, without limitation, hook and loop, snap, button, adhesive, buckle, and other types of fasteners that would be apparent to a skilled artisan. The first strap piece 42 and/or the second strap piece 44 may optionally be fixed to the pad 20.

The strap 40 may be used to removably attach the pad 20 to an inner surface 92 of the hat 90. The hat 90 may include one or more extensions 70, such as a tag sewn to the inner surface 92 of the hat 90 during manufacturing, a loop sewn to the inner surface 92 of the hat 90 after manufacturing, a slit cut into a portion of the inner surface 92 of the hat 90, or another portion of the hat 90 that may receive the strap 40. An illustrative example of the strap 40 and an extension 70 is provided by FIG. 6, without limitation. To remove the pad 20 from the hat 90, the strap 40 can simply be unfastened, withdrawn from the extension 70, and removed with the pad 20.

In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, the pad 20 may include various configurations of straps 40, 50, 60. Referring to FIG. 5, an example of an alternative configuration of straps 50, 60 is provided. In this example, the pad 20 may include one optional central strap 50, which may be a size that is different from the strap 40 illustrated in FIGS. 1, 3-4. The central strap 50 may include a first central strap 52 and second central strap 54, which are analogous to the first strap 42 and second strap 44 discussed above. Additionally, one or more optional straps 60 may be included near various sections of the side edge 22 of the pad 20. The straps 60 may include a first side strap 62 and a second side strap 64 that may extend outwardly from the pad 20 to be received by the hat 90, such as by one or more extension 70 of the hat 90. Additional straps may be included with the device of the present invention that are not fixedly attached to the pad 20. These additional straps may be applied to straps 40, 50, 60, which are attached to the pad 20, advantageously allowing the pad 20 to be secured to the hat 90 in a flexible and configurable manner.

In operation, the hat adjustment device may be used to alter the fit of the hat for a user. Referring now additionally to FIG. 6, an example of the hat adjustment device 10 in use will now be discussed Skilled artisans should not view the following example as limiting in any way.

In this example, an illustrative hat 90 is depicted that will receive the hat adjustment device 10. Although the hat 90 shown in FIG. 6 is a baseball cap, skilled artisans will appreciate that virtually any hat or other type of headwear may be used with the adjustment device 10 of the present invention. The hat 90 may include a base 80, an inner surface 92, an inside space 94, and extensions 70. The base 80 of the hat 90 may be substantially circular such to receive the head of the user desiring to where the hat 90. The inside space 94 of the hat 90 may be included within a space partially enclosed by the hat 90 from its base 80 and inward. The hat 90 may have an inner surface 92 pointing inwardly toward the inside space 94 of the hat 90. In normal operation, the hat 90 may receive the head of a user through its base 80, the head to be located within the inside space 94, and the head to at least partially contact the inner surface 92 of the hat 90.

The hat 90 may include one or more extensions 70 near its base 80 and/or elsewhere on the inner surface 92 of the hat 90. The extensions 70 may be, for example, a tag sewn onto the hat 90. In an instance where the hat 90 is not provided with an extension 70, a user may add an extension 70 to receive the device 10. For example, the user may sew or otherwise fix a loop or other type of extension 70 to the inner surface 92 of the hat 90.

To removably locate the hat adjustment device 10 within a hat 90, a user may first position the pad 20 of the device 10 adjacent to an inner surface 92 of the hat 90. The user may then pass at least part of the strap 40 through an extension 70 of the hat 90. In an embodiment where the device includes more than one strap 40, 60, one or more of those straps 40, 60 may be passed through an extension 70 of the hat 90. Securing the strap 40 may include inserting the first strap piece 42 behind the extension 70 and connecting a second strap piece 44 to the first strap piece 42 to removably fix the pad 20 to the hat 90. The straps 40 may be secured to the extension 70 via an additional strap, compatible portions of the same strap, or another attachment technique that would be apparent to skilled artisans.

Alternatively, a first attachment mechanism may be installed to the interior surface 92 of the hat 90. A second attachment mechanism that is compatible with the first attachment mechanism may be installed to a surface of the pad 20. The first and second attachment mechanisms may then be located adjacent to one another, effectively attaching the pad to the inner surface 92 of the hat 90. An example of attachment mechanisms may be, without limitation, hook and loop fasteners.

An illustrative method for creating the pad 20 will now be discussed without limitation. In this example, the pad 20 may be formed using a piece of material. The piece of material may be folded such to locate its first end 36 approximately adjacent to its second end 38. A filling 30 may be located between the two folded ends 36, 38 of the piece of material. The second end 38 of the piece of material located below the filling 30 may be become the second pad side 28. Similarly, the first end 36 and a piece of material located below the filling 30 may become the first pad side 26. The first and second ends 36, 38 of the piece of material may be fixedly attached to substantially enclose the filling 30. The attached first and second ends 36, 38 of the piece of material, now attached, may form the side edge 24 of the pad 20. Additionally, a line about which the piece of material was folded may become the bottom edge 22 of the pad 20.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the pad 20 may include one or more patterns. The patterns may be used to distinguish which side of the pad 20 to position adjacent to the inner surface 92 of the hat 90. Additionally, the pattern may provide aesthetic appeal to the user.

In an embodiment of the present invention, a plurality of hat adjustment devices 10 may be used to adjust the fit of the hat 90 simultaneously. For example, two hat adjustment devices 10 may be used to adjust the fit of the hat 90 by approximately two sizes. In this example, if a user desires to adjust the fit of the hat 90 an additional size, the user may simply add another hat adjustment device 10. The multiple hat adjustment devices 10 may be connectable to each other. Additionally, the straps 40 of each of the multiple hat adjustment devices 10 may be passed through an extension 70 of the hat 90 to removably attach each respective pad 20 to the inner surface 92 of the hat 90.

Other Embodiments

It is to be understood that while the invention has been described in conjunction with the detailed description thereof, the foregoing description is intended to illustrate and not limit the scope of the invention, which is defined by the scope of the appended claims. Other aspects, advantages, and modifications are within the scope of the following claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A hat adjustment device comprising: a pad; a strap attached to the pad; wherein the pad is locatable adjacent to an inner surface of a hat, the pad being removably attachable to the inner surface via the strap; wherein the pad comprises a filling to affect an inside space of the hat.
 2. The device of claim 1, wherein the pad comprises a single piece of material comprising a first end and a second end; wherein the single piece of material is folded to locate the first end approximately adjacent to the second end, the first end being fixed to the second end to create a side edge and the filling being enclosed therein; and wherein a bottom edge is formed approximately about a line at which the single piece of material is folded.
 3. The device of claim 1, wherein the pad comprises a first pad side, a second pad side, and the filling; and wherein the filling is located between the first pad side and second pad side.
 4. The device of claim 1, wherein the pad effectively reduces a circumferential measurement about a base of the hat.
 5. The device of claim 1, wherein a thickness of the filling reduces the inside space of the hat.
 6. The device of claim 5, wherein the thickness of the filling varies, and wherein the thickness is greater approximately at a bottom edge and thinner approximately at a side edge.
 7. The device of claim 6, wherein the thickness of the filling tapers approximately from the bottom edge to approximately the side edge.
 8. The device of claim 1, wherein the strap is insertable behind an extension of the hat.
 9. The device of claim 8, wherein the extension is a tag sewn to at least part of the inner surface of the hat.
 10. The device of claim 8, wherein the strap comprises a first strap piece and a second strap piece, the first strap piece being insertable behind the extension and the second strap piece being removably connectible to the first strap piece to removably attach the pad to the hat.
 11. A hat adjustment device comprising: a pad comprising a first pad side, a second pad side, and a filling located between the first pad side and the second pad side; and a strap attached to the pad; wherein the filling creates a thickness to reduce an inside space of a hat; wherein the pad is removably locatable adjacent to an inner surface of the hat by performing the steps comprising: (a) locating the pad adjacent to the inner surface of the hat, (b) passing at least part of the strap through an extension of the hat, and (c) securing the strap to removably attach the pad to the hat.
 12. The device of claim 11, wherein the pad comprises a piece of material comprising a first end and a second end; and wherein the pad is created by performing the steps comprising: (d) folding the piece of material to locate the first end approximately adjacent to the second end to form the first pad side and the second pad side; (e) locating the filling between the first pad side and the second pad side; (f) fixing the first end to the second end to create a side edge and enclose the filling; and (g) forming a bottom edge approximately about a line at which the piece of material is folded.
 13. The device of claim 12, wherein the pad effectively reduces a circumferential measurement about a base of the hat, the thickness of the pad being variable to be greater approximately at the bottom edge and thinner approximately at the side edge.
 14. The device of claim 13, wherein the thickness of the filling tapers approximately from the bottom edge to approximately the side edge.
 15. The device of claim 11, wherein the strap comprises a first strap piece and a second strap piece, and wherein step (c) further comprises: (i) inserting the first strap piece through the extension; and (ii) connecting the second strap piece to the first strap piece to removably fix the pad to the hat.
 16. A method of adjusting a hat using a hat adjustment device comprising a pad and a strap attached to the pad, the method comprising: (a) locating the pad adjacent to an inner surface of the hat; (b) passing at least part of the strap through an extension of the hat; and (c) securing the strap to removably attach the pad to the hat; wherein the pad comprises a first pad side, a second pad side, and a filling located between the first pad side and the second pad side; wherein the filling creates a thickness to reduce an inside space of the hat.
 17. The method of claim 16, wherein the pad comprises a piece of material comprising a first end and a second end; and wherein the pad is created by performing the steps comprising: (d) folding the piece of material to locate the first end approximately adjacent to the second end to form the first pad side and the second pad side; (e) locating the filling between the first pad side and the second pad side; (f) fixing the first end to the second end to create a side edge and enclose the filling; and (g) forming a bottom edge approximately about a line at which the piece of material is folded.
 18. The device of claim 17, wherein the thickness is variable to be greater approximately at the bottom edge and thinner approximately at the side edge.
 19. The device of claim 18, wherein the thickness of the filling tapers approximately from the bottom edge to approximately the side edge.
 20. The device of claim 16, wherein the strap comprises a first strap piece and a second strap piece, and wherein step (c) further comprises: (i) inserting the first strap piece behind the extension; and (ii) connecting the second strap piece to the first strap piece to removably fix the pad to the hat. 